Latch actuating mechanism and locking means therefor



May 3, 1966 R. J. ROSS 3,249,380

LATCH ACTUATING MECHANISM AND LOCKING MEANS THEREFOR Filed Sept. 50. 1965 l 4 I o??? 57 //6 5 M 7a /5 /4 30 45 45 4? O O v 3 INVENTOR. Row/1L0 J R055 BY 624mg 2 $2 Q,

Arm/awn United States Patent 3,249,380 LATCH ACTUATlNG MECHANISM AND LOCKENG MEANS THEREFOR Ronald J. Ross, Silver Spring, Md, assignor to Ross- Burnet, Inc., Silver Spring, Md., a corporation of Maryland Filed Sept. 30, 1965, Ser. No. 491,668 18 Claims. (Cl. 292166) This invention relates to new and improved door latch actuating mechanism of the type wherein a mounting plate having latch engaging means associated therewith embodying a plunger movable through said plate and a touch plate in spaced relation to said mounting plate are operatively connected by relatively movable connecting means interposed between said plates, including a T-shaped pivot lever secured through its shank portion to one of said plates, and chamber forming means, recessed to receive the cross-head of said T-shaped pivot lever with the shank portion thereof protruding, secured to the other of said plates, and resilient means supporting said plunger in contact with the one of said connecting means attached to said touch plate, whereby rocking and linear movements of said touch plate cause linear movement of said plunger.

More particularly, the invention relates to door latch actuating mechanisms of the type described embodying symmetrical construction and adjustably positioned latch engaging means facilitating universal variation in the positioning of said mechanism and orientation of said touch platewith respect to a door surface.

Still more particularly, the invention relates to door latch actuating mechanisms of the type described embodying improved cooperating structures in the connecting means and mounting plate enhancing both the appearance and operation of the mechanism.

In further particular, the invention relates to new and versatile locking means, whereby latch mechanisms of the type described can be selectively rendered operative and inoperative by fixed and/or removable key elements.

The basic principles of the door latch actuating mechanisms embodying relatively movable connecting means including a T-shaped pivot lever, interposed between a mounting plate and touch plate or actuator have been disclosed and claimed in my copending application, Serial Number 374,485, filed June 16, 1964. in said prior application, the touch plate was consisently oriented in a direction perpendicular to the path of movement of the latch element being controlled.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide means for selectively orienting the touch plate either perpendicular to or parallel to the path of movement of the latch element. This is of particular advantage in that it gives to the touch plate, when mounted horizontally, more of the appearance and feel in use of a crash or panic bar. With the improved device, therefore, it is possible to have a vertically oriented touch plate at the pull side of the door and a horizontally oriented touch plate at the push side of the door. Not only does such selective orientation provide helpful visual means for knowing in which direction a door should be opened, but at the same time it better adapts to the instinctive positioning of the hands in pushing and pulling movements.

.A further object of the invention is to provide cooperating structures in the movable connecting means, the shielding means therefor and the touch plate which provide safety in use and attractiveness of the device in the various orientations of the touch plate.

A still further object of the invention is to provide lock means'for the mechanism which operates by restraining the plunger as it passes through the mounting 3,Z4,3@ Patented May 3, 1966 plate, and which can be controlled, by reason of a number of undercut passages in the mounting plate, from different positions spaced peripherally of the mounting plate, such operation being by fixed or removable key elements at either or both sides of a door.

These and other objects of the invention will be more readily understood from a consideration of the following description, taken together with the accompanying drawing, in which important details of my new construction have been shown with the various parts thereof identified by suitable reference characters in each of the views and, in which:

FIG. 1 is a broken section taken vertically through the latch actuated mechanism and locking means as afiixed to a door, with part of the structure broken away for clearer viewing of the parts.

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through the device as shown in FIG. 1, again, with parts of the structure broken away for better viewing of the parts.

FIG. 3 is a view substantially on the line 33 of FIG. 2 showing only the mounting plates and directly associated parts of the latch mechanism and locking means.

FIG. 4 is a View substantially on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2, with background structures omitted.

FIG. 5 is a front elevation view, partially in section, of a sub-assemblage of the mechanism as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the sub-assemblage shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a removable key element for use with the locking means shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, a preferred adaptation of the present invention is shown in association with a door 14) having a hole'11 therethrough of the type normally employed for the mounting of conventional door knobs and the like. Within the hole 11 is shown the end 12 of a latch plunger 13 of conventional construction and of a length, varying with the distance of the hole 11 from the door edge, to dispose the end 12 substantially centrally of the hole 11.

The new actuating mechanism, as shown, comprises an assemblage 14 including a mounting plate. 15 a touch plate or actuator 16 secured to the mounting plate through relatively movable connecting means 17, which is partly concealed by an ornamental cover or shield 18. This assemblage 14 can be used at one side only of a door with any conventional knob or latch actuating mechanism on the opposed side; but special advantage is realized when a second assemblage 14 identical to 14 is mounted on the reverse side of the door. In the two assemblages, corresponding parts, and the components and details thereof, will be similarly identified; i.e. 15, 15; 18, 18, etc.

The mounting plates 15, 15 are of generally rectangular contour and have on the door engaging surfaces 19, 19 thereof circular recesses 20, 20' bounded by peripheral flange portions 21, 21 which closely fit the hole 11 in a door. The mounting plates are provided within the recesses 20, 20' with a plurality of holes or apertures 22, note FIG. 3, adapted to receive bolts 2 3 for clamping the mounting plates in firm engagement with a door. Two bolts 23, diametrically opposed with respect to the recesses 20, 20', will sutiice .to support the mounting plates, but additional bolts can be used if desired, for firmer mounting. Furthermore, with four apertures 22 equispaced as shown, it will be apparent that the rectangular plates 15, 15 can be in common alinement, as shown in FIG. 3, or at right-angles to each other, as hereinafter described.

The connecting means 17, 17' each include a pivot lever 24 having a crosshead 25 with rounded bearing ends 26 connected by a shank portion 27 to a mounting flange 28 disposed at right-angles to and in a plane paralleling the crosshead, and secured by a plurality of screws or fasteners 29 to the mounting plate to orient the crosshead centrally and longitudinally of the rectangular mounting plate. Enveloping the crosshead is a chamber forming means comprising a U-shaped body part 30, having inturned ends 31 pivotally engaging the bearing ends 26 of the crosshead and having opposed'sides closed by cover plate 32 slidably engaging undercut grooves 33, as clearly shown in FIG. 4. The U-shaped body is detachably coupled with the touch plate 16 by a wedge bar 34 secured to the touch plate and having divergently bevelled ends 35 adapted to be clamped between an undercut groove 36, at one end of the body part 30, and one or more setscrews 37 at the other end thereof.

A plunger 38 is slidably mounted in the shank 27 of the pivot lever with one inner end registering with a central aperture 39 in the mounting plate and the other end having an enlarged head 40 bearing against the inner surface of the U-shaped body 30. A spring 41 seating in a recess 42 in said pivot lever and bearing against said enlarged head 40 serves to firmly but yieldably support the surfaces 26 of the pivot lever crosshead and the offset ends 31 of said U-shaped member in bearing engagement.

The plunger 38', as it passes through the mounting plate aperture 39, engages a lever 43 swinging on a pintle or axis 4-4 which is spaced from the paths of movement of the plunger 38 and latch plunger 13 and disposed perpendicularly to the plane of such paths of movement. The free end of the lever 43 has a curved surface 45 for hearing against the head 12 of the latch plunger 13. From a consideration of FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be apparent that any pushing force toward the door on the touch plate 16 and any pulling force on either end thereof will cause lat-ch actuating movement of the plunger 38, lever 4-3 and i latch plunger 13.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawing, the lever 4-3 and pintle 44 are part of a sub-assemblage in which spaced wall portions 46 and 47 are jointed together in a common plane by parallel plates 48, 49 which support the pintle 44, and provide with the wall portions 46, 47 an enlarged opening 50 in which the lever 43 is -free to swing. The bearing end 45 of the lever is substantially offset with respect to the opening 50, as clearly shown in FIG. 5, so that the same sub-assemblage can be used at both sides of a door, without interference, as seen in FIG. 1. This sub-assemblage 51 is positioned within the recess 20 of the mounting plate by screws or other fasteners '52 passing through apertures 53 in the wall portions 46, 47 and a pair of diametrically opposed tapped holes 54 in the mounting plate. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the sub-assemblage 51 is oriented to actuate a latch plunger 13 disposed perpendicularly to the elongated touch plate 16. In other words, this provides for vertical orientation of the touch plate with respect to a door having a latch at a vertical door edge. mounting plates 15, 15' have other diametrically opposed tapped holes 54a oriented at a position 90 removed from the holes 54. By mounting the sub-assemblage 51 using the holes 54a and attaching the mounting plate horizontally rather than vertically to the door, the touch plate can be made to extend horizontally with respect to a door having a latch at a vertical edge thereof. Thus, the sub-assemblage 5-1 provides versatility in use of the new latch actuating mechanism, since on-the-job orientation of the sub-assemblage 51 permits the same mechanism to be adapted for either vertical or horizontal orientation of the touch plate at both inner and outer door surfaces.

The cover or shield 18 has long sides 55 of slightly concave curvature which bear against bevelled edges 56 of the mounting plate and closely conform to outer surfaces of the closure plates 32, and short sides or ends 57 of slightly convex curvature having hooked edges '58 for snap engagement with undercuts 59 on the door side of It will' be noted, however, that the the mounting plate. The outer edges 6tl of said short ends 57 are spaced from the U-shaped member 30 to provide clearance for the rocking thereof in use of the device.

The touch plate 16 may be of any ornamental design but the curved contour, clearly shown in cross-section in FIG. 2 extending throughout its length, is especially suited to both pushing and pulling engagement by the hand in operating the touch plate. In this connection, if the touch plate is positioned at or near its center, the fingers of the hand could extend around an edge 16a and it will be noted that the concave sides 55 of the cover provide enhanced clearance to prevent pinching of the fingers as the touch plate is moved toward the door to a fully depressed position.

The door latch actuating mechanism, as thus far described, is a complete, practical and versatile article for manufacture and sale. It is frequently desirable, however, that door latch actuating means include lock .means for selectively preventing operation at either or both sides of the door. As a further and preferred adaptation of the invention, I have shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and.7 details of a versatile locking means for the device. I

Having references particulary to FIGS. 11 and 3, the locking means comprises a flat lock plate 61 slidable in a channel 62 in the base of the pivot lever and having a central aperture 63 closely engaging a reduced diameter end 64 on the plunger 38 with an offset 65 of enlarged diameter to receive the full diameter of the plunger 38.

With the lock plate 61 in the up position, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, movement of the plunger 38 and of the touch plate is prevented, but downward movement to 'aline the offset 65 with the plunger 38 will permit movementand operation in the manner previously described.

Operation of the lock plate 61 from the opposed or private side of the door is effected through a forked lever 66 engaging a stud 67 on the lock plate and rigidly secured as by clamping means 68 to a traverse rod 69, suitably of hexagonal cross-section, which passes through alined apertures 22in the mounting plates 15, 15', and a key member 70 engaging the remote end portion of the traverse rod and extending outwardly of the device through a radial groove ,71' in the mounting plate 15'. The key member 70 suitably has a bushing end 72 of hexagonal or other mating inner contour to slidably and non-rotatably engage the traverse rod 69, thereby accommodating for slight variations in door thickness.

If a fixed key 70 is not desired, a detachable key 73 can be employed.v As shown in FIG. 7, such a detachable key comprises an elongated flat plate having an open socket end 74 of hexagonal or other mating contour to engage the traverse rod 69=and an upwardly extending fingerpiece 75 at the opposed end. Using either the fixed key 70 or the detachable key 73, movement of the key in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 3 will slide the lock plate 61 downwardly to the unlocked position.

Bearing in mind the versatility of mounting the basic device as earlier described,.similar versatility is important in providing for the locking means. Accordingly, in a preferred form of device, equipped with lock, each mounting plate 15, 15" is provided with four equispaced radial grooves 71, 71 alined with four apertures 22. These grooves extend through the flanges 21, 21' to the recesses 20, 20'. In this way, no matter whether the opposed mounting plates are oriented in alinement or at right angles to each other, any set of alined holes 22 can be used to receive the traverse rod 69. In other words, the key 70 can be oriented in any of the four radial positions to suit the wishes and convenience of the user.

To provide access to the grooves 71, 71' for the keys 70 or 73, the cover must have an edge cut-out 76 registering'with each groove which'is to be used. If each cover 18, 18' is provided with two of such cut-outs 76 at adjacent corners, for example at opposed ends of a side 55, as shown in FIG. 1, it is possible to provide access to the traverse rod 69 with fixed or movable keys 70 or 73 v at both sides of the door, no matter in which of the four radial positions the traverse rod 69 may be located.

In attaching the new latch actuating mechanism to a door, it will be apparent that the inounting plate and associated connecting means 17 is first secured in the desired position and orientation on the door. The lock mechanism, if employed, is then adjusted to properly orient the.

forked lever 66 with the hexagonal, or other key mating, contour of the traverse rod 69 so that swinging movement of a key 70 or 73 is coordinated with the sliding movement desired in the lock plate 61. The cover 18 is then snapped in place over the mounting plate; and as a final step, the top plate is attached and secured by tightening the setscrew or screws 37. I I

Various changes and modifications in the latch actuating mechanism and locking means therefor as herein described will occur to those skilled in the art and, to the extent that such changes and modifications are embraced by the appended claims, it is to be understood that they constitute part of the present invention.

I claim:

1. In a latch actuating mechanism in which linear movement of a plunger through a mounting plate is converted to linear movement of a latch disposed perpendicular'ly to said plunger by means of a lever having a pivot spaced from said plunger and latch and perpendicular to the common plane thereof, the improvement that comprises a touch plate in spaced relation to said mounting plate in alignment with said plunger, and relatively movable connecting .means operatively interposed between said plates, said last named means comprising a T-shaped pivot lever secured through its shank portion to one of said plates, and chamber forming means, recessed to receive the cross-head of said T-shapedpivot lever with the shank portion thereof protruding, secured to the other of said plates, and resilient means supporting said plunger in contact with the one of said connecting means attached to said touch plate, whereby rocking and linear movements of said touch plate cause linear movement of said plunger, said mounting plate being of rectangular contour with said plunger passing through the center thereof, and said mounting plate detachably supporting a cover enveloping said mounting plate and a portion of said connecting means including the interengaged portions of said chamber forming means and pivot lever.

2. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said T-shaped pivot lever is attached to said mounting plate and said chamber forming means is attached to said touch plate.

3. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said T-shaped pivot lever is attached to said mounting plate and said chamber forming means is attached to said touch plate, and wherein said cover closely engages long sides of said chamber forming means and is spaced from the ends thereof to facilitate movement of said chamber forming means with said touch plate.

4. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein the touch plate is a member elongated in the direction of said pivot lever cross-head having outwardly convex and inwardly concave cross-sections throughout its length.

5. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein the touch plate is a member elongated in the direction of said pivot lever cross-head having outwardly convex and inwardly concave cross-sections throughout its length and surfaces of said cover in alignment with inwardly extending edges of said touch plate are of concave curvature.

6. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said plunger has a reduced diameter end adjacent said mounting plate, and slidable lock means between said mounting plate and connecting means registering with said reduced diameter end of the plunger for selectively preventing and permitting longitudinal movement of said plunger.

7. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 1, wherein said plunger has a reduced diameter end adjacent said mounting plate, and slidable lock means between said mounting plate and connecting means registering with said reduced diameter end of the plunger for selectively preventing and permitting longitudinal movement of said plunger, movement of said lock means being controlled through a lever fixedly engageable with a traverse rod adapted to pass through a door on which the mechanism is mounted, and recessed means at door engaging portions of said mounting plate and cover forming a radial channel providing key access to said traverse rod.

8. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 2, wherein said plunger passes through the shank portion of said pivot lever and has a reduced diameter end adjacent said mounting plate, and said pivot lever has a channel adjacent said mounting plate slidably receiving lock means registering with said reduced diameter end of the plunger for selectively preventing and permitting longitudinal movement of the plunger.

9. A latch actuating mechanism comprising a mounting plate of rectangular contour having a T-shaped pivot lever centrally mounted on the outer face thereof with its cross-head spaced from and extending lengthwise of said plate, chamber forming means enveloping said cross head comprising a U-shaped body having offset ends providing pivotal bearing engagement with inner end surfaces of said cross-head, and cover plates closing opposed sides of said U-shaped body, aplunger extending through a central passage through said T-shaped pivot lever and mounting plate for contact with latch engaging means at the inner, door engaging, face of said mounting plate and terminating in an enlarged head bearing against said U-shaped body, resilient means between said pivot lever and enlarged head of the plunger for yieldably supporting said head in engagement with the U-shaped body, and a touch plate secured to said Ushaped body, said touch plate being elongated in the direction of said cross-head whereby any pushing movement of said touch plate toward said mounting plate and any pulling movement of either of the end portions thereof will depress said plunger to move said latch engaging means.

10. A latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 9, wherein lock means is provided in association with said plunger for selectively permitting and preventing movement thereof, said lock means including a lock plate slidable in a channel formed in the base of said pivot lever having an aperture providing large and small diameter portions corresponding respectively with the diameter of said plunger and of a reduced end portion thereof, a lever connecting said lock plate to an elongated traverse rod adapted to pass through an aperture, spaced from said central passage, in said mounting plate and to the opposed side of a door on which the mechanism is mounted, and

key means engaging said traverse rod to rotate the same for movement of said lock plate.

11. A latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein the mounting plate has four apertures equally spaced from and circumferentially of said plunger, any diametrically opposed pair of which can be used to attach said mechanism to a door, said apertures being of a size to receive said traverse rod.

12. A latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 10, wherein the mounting plate has four apertures equally spaced from and circumferentially of said plunger, any diametrically opposed pair of which can be used to attach said mechanism to a door, said apertures being of a size to receive said traverse rod, and the inner door engaging face of said mounting plate having 4 radially disposed undercut channels in radial alignment with said apertures providing'key access to a traverse rod arranged in any of :said apertures.

13. A latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 12, wherein said apertures and channels are at angles 45 removed from the center line of said mounting plate whereby alignment of said apertures and grooves of two such mechanisms is assured in both parallel and perpendicular center line orientation of said plate at opposed sides of a door.

14. A latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 9, wherein said latch engaging means is a sub-assemblage comprising a frame supporting a lever in alignment with said plunger for swinging on an axis perpendicular to and spaced from the axis of said plunger, said lever having a protruding part adapted to align with a door latch movable perpendicularly to said plunger, said protruding part being offset with respect to the axis of said plunger permitting identical structures to be used at opposed sides of a door, and means for mounting said sub-assemblage on said mounting plate to selectively orient said lever axis perpendicular to, and parallel to said door latch, thereby permitting selective vertical and horizontal orientation of said touch plate.

15. A latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 14, wherein said mounting means permits orientation of said sub-assemblage at 90, 180, 270, and 360 positions of rotation with respect to said plunger.

16. In a latch actuating mechanism in which linear movement of a plunger through a mounting plate is converted to linear movement of a latch disposed perpendicularly to said plunger by means of a lever having a pivot spaced from said plunger and latch and perpendicular to the common plane thereof, the improvement that comprises lock means for selectively preventing and permitting movement of said plunger, said lock means comprising a slidable lock plate adjacent said mounting plate having an aperture freely receiving said plunger with a reduced offset closely conforming to a reduced diameter tip on said plunger, lever means connecting said lock plate to a rotatable traverse rod passing through said mounting plate, and through a second, similar mounting plate at the opposed side of a door, and key means engaging said rod at the opposed side of said door forrotating the same to control sliding movement of said second lock plate.

17. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 16, wherein key access to said traverse rod is provided through a radial channel in the door engaging surface of said second mounting plate.

18. An improved latch actuating mechanism as defined in claim 16, wherein said mounting plate is provided with four apertures spaced circumferentially of said plunger at positions spaced from the center line of said mounting plate, any diametrically opposed pair of which can be used for afiixing said mounting plate to a door, said apertures also being of ,a size to receive said traverse rod, and key access to said traverse rod in the different locations thereof being provided by radial channels in the door engaging surface of said mounting plate aligned with each of said apertures.

References Citedby the-Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 224,040 2/1880 Prouty 292166' 502,789 8/1893 Tobey.

935,004 9/1909 Farch 292174 X 1,352,762 9/1920 Schultze 292207 X 1,479,602 1/1924 Hayer 292166 1,805,997 5/1931 Rhiner 292165 2,243,772 5/1941 Peltier- 292221 X 2,369,056 2/1945 Langon et al 74-512 2,733,089 l/l 6 Grevengoed 292-,207 X 2,741,502 4/1956 Crand ell 292336.3 X 2,811,384 10/1957 Schmid 292357 2,823,940 I 2/1958 Squire 29292 FOREIGN PATENTS 593,528 l O/ 1947 Great Britain. I

PATRICK A. CLIFFORD, Primary Examiner.

RICHARD E. MOORE, Examiner. 

9. A LATCH ACTUATING MECHANISM COMPRISING A MOUNTING PLATE OF RECTANGULAR CONTOUR HAVING A T-SHAPED PIVOT LEVER CENTRALLY MOUNTED ON THE OUTER FACE THEREOF WITH ITS CROSS-HEAD SPACED FROM AND EXTENDING LENGTHWISE OF SAID PLATE, CHAMBER FORMING MEANS ENVELOPING SAID CROSSHEAD COMPRISING A U-SHAPED BODY HAVING OFFSET ENDS PROVIDING PIVOTAL BEARING ENGAGEMENT WITH INNER END SURFACES OF SAID CROSS-HEAD, AND COVER PLATES CLOSING OPPOSED SIDES OF SAID U-SHAPED BODY, A PLUNGER EXTENDING THROUGH A CENTRAL PASSAGE THROUGH SAID T-SHAPED PIVOT LEVER AND MOUNTING PLATE FOR CONTACT WITH LATCH ENGAGING MEANS AT THE INNER, DOOR ENGAGING, FACE OF SAID MOUNTING PLATE AND TERMINATING IN AN ENLARGED HEAD BEARING AGAINST SAID U-SHAPED BODY, RESILIENT MEANS BETWEEN SAID PIVOT LEVER AND ENLARGED HEAD OF THE PLUNGER FOR YIELDABLY SUPPORTING SAID HEAD IN ENGAGEMENT WITH THE U-SHAPED BODY, AND A TOUCH PLATE SECURED TO SAID U-SHAPED BODY, SAID TOUCH PLATE BEING ELONGATED IN THE DIRECTION OF SAID CROSS-HEAD WHEREBY ANY PUSHING MOVEMENT OF SAID TOUCH PLATE TOWARD SAID MOUNTING PLATE AND ANY PULLING MOVEMENT OF EITHER OF THE END PORTIONS THEREOF WILL DEPRESS SAID PLUNGER TO MOVE SAID LATCH ENGAGING MEANS. 